Londons Leafy Foster Tower

Londons Leafy Foster Tower

Published on 25-09-2007 by Skyscrapernews.com
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Foster and Partners have designed this new 40 floor 143m tall building as part of a redevelopment in Ealing, West London.

Developed by Glenkerrin UK, the scheme features a comprehensive redevelopment of the current Arcadia shopping centre overspilling into a site between Ealing Broadway and Haven Green that includes building over the nearby railway line.

It's been master-planned by HKR architects to include 20,450 square metres of commercial space, most retail that will be able accommodate a whole range of different outlets from anchor department stores to small cafes.

There is also 1,168 square metres of office space, 1,728 square metres for leisure use, plus plans for 704 new apartments ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms.

The highlight of the residential section of the scheme is the 40 floor residential tower facing on to Uxbridge Road designed by Foster and Partners which will reach a height of 143m to the tip.

Harking back to the organic inspiration of 30 St Mary Axe (aka the Gherkin), the distinctive design has been nicknamed "the Leaf" thanks to the central spine of the building with two wings off it, the rough form of the massing like a leaf blade, the diagonal contouring it displays which copies a leaf vein.

Naturalists and trivia fans will be pleased to know it most mimics the appearance of an upside down Obcordate leaf that is "heart shaped and stems at the point."

The proposal is likely to be hard fought over as it will be by far the tallest building in a borough where local residents have successfully resisted tall buildings in the past. Final judgement on the planning application will be done by the council in the first quarter of 2008.

hra administration
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